Research News
Diagnostic clues for Addison’s disease
May 26th, 2024
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Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have identified some unique characteristics that most dogs show when they’re critically ill due to Addison’s disease — insights that may help veterinarians identify severe cases more quickly. Addison’s disease (canine hypoadrenocorticism) is caused by a lack of cortisol and aldosterone, two essential hormones made by the adrenal glands. While the disease is …
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Pet research in print
A roundup of WCVM-related companion animal research articles that have been recently published in peer-reviewed journals. Moreno D, Cosford K, Snead E, Carr A. “Assessment of hemostasis in hyperthyroid and euthyroid cats using two viscoelastic assays and platelet aggregometry.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Feb. 2024. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17038. Zvionow P, Reyes DM, Aburto E. “Obstructive cardiac myxosarcoma of the right …
May 22nd, 2024 Full story »
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Pet research in motion
An investment of more than $150,000 from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) Companion Animal Health Fund (CAHF) will benefit scientists and graduate students whose research work focuses on improving pet health. This year, nearly $78,000 of the CAHF funding will support the work of six research teams whose members include WCVM faculty, graduate students, and collaborators on the …
July 18th, 2023 Full story »
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Healthy dogs, healthy communities
Over $149,000 in funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) is helping University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers from multiple disciplines provide support to Saskatchewan communities that are experiencing challenges with dogs. The SHRF-funded research project uses a One Health approach to study human-dog relationships and circumstances surrounding aggressive dog-human encounters such as dog bites. With this approach, researchers explore …
July 17th, 2023 Full story »
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Pet health studies gain vital support
Five research teams at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have received over $93,000 in funding for research projects targeting a variety of health issues and questions in companion animals. The WCVM’s Companion Animal Health Fund (CAHF) and another fund administered by the CAHF provided financial support for the research studies that are based at the veterinary college. For …
February 18th, 2023 Full story »
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WCVM scientist seeks imported dogs
A veterinary researcher at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is hoping to connect with pet owners or canine rescue organizations that have recently imported dogs into Canada or plan to bring animals into the country. “We’re asking that when the dog [comes] into Canada — if you know the date — contact us early so that we can arrange things,” says …
February 18th, 2023 Full story »
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Blood on the double
Dogs can donate life-saving blood to other dogs, just like people can give blood to their fellow humans. But veterinarians are still unsure about the best way to deliver blood from dog donors to the canine patients that urgently need it. That’s why I’m working with my supervisor, Dr. Jen Loewen, to find a more efficient way to conduct blood …
February 18th, 2023 Full story »
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Scientists seek golden retrievers
Veterinary ophthalmologists at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are seeking golden retrievers to participate in a genetic study of a blinding eye disease that affects this breed. Golden retriever cystic uveal disease or pigmentary uveitis is an insidious, blinding condition that has become common in the breed. The disease causes thin-walled cysts to develop in the affected dog’s …
January 18th, 2023 Full story »
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Good dog
You share more things in common with your dog than you think, and these similarities are the focus of research at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) that’s aimed at investigating osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer found in dogs and humans. A research team led by Dr. Behzad Toosi of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is studying the …
May 07th, 2022 Full story »
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Fine tuning ferrets’ pain control
There’s no room for assumptions in pain management — that principle has prompted a research team at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) to initiate a study investigating the efficacy of pain relief medications in ferrets. Ferrets are now considered the fourth most popular pet mammal, and veterinarians in the WCVM’s avian, exotic and wildlife medicine service regularly see …
November 10th, 2021 Full story »